Maratha reservation protest: NCP office in Maharashtra's Beed set on fire, prohibitory orders issued | Top developments

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ANI reported. Earlier on Monday, the protest over the Maratha reservation turned violent as demonstrators vandalised and set ablaze the residence of NCP MLA Prakash Solanke in the Beed district of Maharashtra. "I was inside my home when it was attacked.

Fortunately, none of my family members or staff were injured. We are all safe but there is a huge loss of property due to fire," Prakash Solanke was cited by ANI as saying after the incident took place. Solanke belongs to the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

This comes amidst an indefinite fast by activist Manoj Jarange who sat on an indefinite fast on October 25 at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district. The agitation over the Maratha reservation intensified after Jarange launched the indefinite fast as part of the second phase of the stir. He was on a hunger strike from August 29 to September 14, and called off his agitation after the government assured to look into his quota demand.

In the wake of the violent incidents in the district, Beed District Collector Dipa Mudhol Munde issued prohibitory orders under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 144(2) in the 5 kilometers' radius area from District headquarters and all taluka Headquarters in the district, news agency ANI reported. As the protests simmered in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said in Yavatmal that the Maratha community needs to exercise some patience. He urged the community to not "take an extreme stance" and also promised them of a "positive decision".

"I requested Manoj Jarange (Maratha reservation activist) - a positive decision will be made. You will get reservation, you will get one reservation within the framework of the law. There will be no cheating, we